Simple Saturday

I have been invited to a Big BBQ and I'm taking the easiest Pasta Salad on the planet! You will love this because you can use whatever pasta noodles you have, plus your favorite veggies, cheeses, salamis or pepperoni! I even add light red Kidney Beans. Add all your favorites to a big bowl and toss in your favorite Italian Salad dressing. Easy Peasy!!! A simple recipe is available at Macaroni and Cheesecake! 

(Picture credit Macaroni and Cheesecake)

Friday's Find

If you live near a Zoe's Kitchen, you will want to download their App now - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zoes-kitchen/id575695520?mt=8!   Just for signing up, you will get something free. Everytime you go, just upload a picture of your receipt and get something else Free. Their app also has ideas for Happy, Healthy Living! So download now and hit Zoe's next time you are craving Delicious healthy food! 

Thursday Style Tip

Look at how easy it is to go from Plain to Interesting!! Just add Jewelry! Your outfit will be complete and you will feel Beautiful and stylish! 

All Jewelry by esbe Designs.

Wednesday's Wisdom

The World Lost a Remarkable Woman today - remembering Maya Angelou...

Her Wisdom Lives On!

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill 

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom. 

#jotd Jewelry of the Day

One top from Cabi and 2 looks from esbe Designs! Which is your favorite? Papillon the Butterfly or the cool silver of Cascata Long Necklace and the Allegro Necklace? 

#mynewlife Monday

May 18 - so excited for this young lady headed out into her new life. Celebrating the Graduate!!

May 19 - Lucas had the Day off so he and his brother did some yard work. I looked out the window and this is what I saw!!

May 20 - one of the best BBQ's in Birmingham! 

May 21 - watching Chansonnier Jazz Trio at Ona's.

May 22 - Even the dogs are excited - school is almost out!!!

May 23 - went outside to watch the New Meteor Shower - this is what I saw...

May 24 - my BFF was a judge at the Salsa Showdown so I just had to go! Had a great time trying all the entries and hanging with my friends!!

To see more pics and the winners - click Here! 

Sunday Recap!

Yesterday was one of those days Full of Good Friends, Great Food, Meeting new People and exploring new Places! 

I started at the Salsa Showdown. Local Eateries competed for Best Salsa, Best Guacamole, Queso Dip and a Speciality Category. 

Here are the Winners! 

Audience Choice:

BEST SALSA: La Bamba Grill

BEST QUESO: La Paz Restaurant & Catering

BEST GUAC: Rojo Birmingham

BEST SPECIALITY: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill - The Summit

Juror's Choice:

BEST SALSA: tie between Chuy's - Birmingham and La Paz Restaurant & Catering

BEST QUESO and BEST GUAC: Tin Roof Birmingham

BEST SPECIALITY DIP: Rojo Birmingham

To beat the eat, we decided to head over to Dram in Mountain Brook. I love this place! Wonderful Service and I wanted to try everything on the Menu! We shared the Hot Pecans - these are addicting - and then I had the Country Ham and Biscuits with Apple Butter. Perfect Dinner after eating salsa and Chips for lunch! 

Yesterday was the kind of day that makes me so grateful for what I Have! 

Friday's Find

If you love music, then you need to spend an evening at Ona's Music Room at Pepper Place. USA Today has named Ona's one of the top 10 Jazz Clubs in the country! I was invited to see an amazing Jazz Trio called Chansonnier. They are so very talented. They play some of your favorite pieces but they are also talented composers so you will also hear some of their original music.  (I'm a little biased because I've known the Guitarist/Vocalist Collin Zuckerman since he was 4!) We had a Wonderful evening with great music in a really Cool Nightclub. Please check out Ona's schedule, invite some friends and have an enjoyable Evening. I'm looking forward to seeing Chansonnier again!!

Wednesday's Wisdom

I am on a journey to become the best person I can be and along with that, to become a better parent. I've been working on living in the Here and Now and accepting each moment, the good, the bad and every thing in between. The Here and Now is all we have. The past is over and the future is unknown. My own journey includes becoming a more mindful parent and I've recently discovered author - Dr. Shefali Tsabary and her book The Conscious Parent. Here's a quote from her book...

"Once we have detached from our expectations of how another person “should” behave and we encounter them as they really are, the acceptance we inevitably demonstrate toward them naturally induces connection. This is because authenticity automatically resonates with authenticity."

#mynewlife Monday

May 11 - Happy Mother's Day!!!

May 12 - Apple Berry Fruit Salsa

May 13 - A Beautiful Day is good for the Soul!

May 14 - Wings!!!!!!

May 15 - GNO at AllSouth Appliances!

May 16 - oh the things you see...

May 17 - Dining Al Fresco - love the Zensation Salad

Style Tip

Love Bracelets but hate how they get in the way at work?? Try a Cuff or our Cascata Bracelet. It snaps on and stays put. Even better, it fits all size wrists!!

Cascata Bracelet 

Wednesday's Wisdom

Go outside - Be in the Here and Now - Feed your Soul...

#jotd Jewelry of the Day

Today's Look combines the two Delicate Collections of Aubree and Legato. I love how my friend combined the Pinks and Purples of Aubree with a Royal Blue sweater. Classy, Timeless and Elegant!!!

Aubree Earrings - esbe Designs

Legato Necklace - esbe Designs

Legato Ring - esbe Designs

#mynewlife Monday

May 4 - first day at the Pool! 

May 5th - Cinco de Mayo with the Girls! 

May 6th - Fresh Basket Co-op Day means Stir-Fry Broccoli!

May 7th - So excited for the Joe's Italian family!! Official Ribbon Cutting of their Second Location. So very proud of my son! He's learning how to run a restaurant from one of the best in the business. 

May 8th - Here's what our esbe Designs clients see when they receive their Jewelry! Hello Beautiful!!! Women don't hear that enough so it's our mission to make sure women know they are Beautiful!!!

May 9th - Dinner!

May 10th - a very special Brunch with some very special Beautiful Women!!